Apart from the usual bake sales, coffee mornings and food-themed raffles, what kind of food-related fundraising ideas (for charity) can anyone think of? Particularly those which are fun and low-budget! I'm interested into what everyone can come up with, although practical reasons (namely very strict hygiene and catering rules) might prevent me from using them! I'm at university and sometimes it suffices to freshen up old ideas (converting mommy's coffee mornings into afternoon tea) but sometimes having something completely new is an important goal, too.

We do a book and bake sale each year. It combines cakes that people have donated (mostly cut into slices which you buy by the slice) and everyone brings in the books they have read and do not mind donating and you have a swap with a fee of 1 euro per book swapped.

Maybe you could do similar. It is a great day and everyone looks forward to it. We all sit around and discuss recipes, books and all the latest news while enjoying a coffee/tea and slice - or two - of cake.

Another thing we do is a jam, chutney, pickles and preserves day. This is my one where I make hundreds of jars of the above and donate them. Some people make 4 jars (a small batch) of jam and donate that. You pay a few euros per jar and we have a lunch of sandwiches and cupcakes which you pay a fee for as well. Once again a great day.

Why not get everyone to write down their fave recipe and collate them into a small booklet? We have done that also. You charge a small amount per booklet and it covers costs and gives a little left over as well. Just plain black and white so you can photocopy. If you speak to your local photocopy place they may be able to help with ideas and may even be willing to support a small proportion of the cost if it is for charity.

Hope these ideas help. These are ones that we use each year and are tried and true for us. Good luck!_________________If you cannot feel your arteries hardening, eat more cheese. If you can, drink more red wine. Diet is just "die" with a "t" on the end. Exercise is walking into the kitchen.

Years back I can remember auctions at schools..when our children were in high school..

I used to make many many rum balls..it became a fun thing..I reckon over the years I've made zillions..

If people are having fun you've more chance of more $$$$s coming in methinks..for some reason a jar of Vegemite with some numbered anniversary of its creation scored quite an amount at one auction..two people were bidding and I think it became a sort of ego thing...not that I worried!

ok now to put on my thinking cap..

am sure there'll be doable ideas coming soon...given the readership out there in cyberspace.._________________"I've never accepted the external appearance of things as the whole truth. The world is much more elaborate than the nerves of our eye can tell us." - James Gleeson